It would seem that if you haven’t visited Slovenia at least once, you are missing out on something. Last year almost 3 million people experienced what this small, but beautiful country in the heart of Europe has to offer, causing it to jump 9 places to position 35 in the Travel and Tourism Competitive Index. This is according to the latest research by the World Economic Forum.*
Tourism is without doubt becoming one of the most important sectors of the Slovenian economy. Since Slovenia gained its independance in 1991, the past 4 years have been the most successful in terms of Slovenian tourism and in 2009 the industry accounted for 12.3% of GDP. The data from the Bank of Slovenia at the end of June this year indicates a 0.5 percentage point higher income from foreign tourists compared with last year.
The number of foreign arrivals has doubled over the past decade, from 884 thousand in 1991 to over 1.6 million in 2009. Last week the Slovenian Statistis Office issued the latest data (provisional) stating that compared to July 2009, in July this year the number of tourist arrivals increased by 5%. Over 367,000 tourist arrivals were registered in tourist accommodations, the number of arrivals of foreign tourists increasing by 10%. In the first seven months of the year the number of tourist arrivals increased by 4% and the number of overnight stays by 1% compared to the same period last year, the number of overnight stays of foreign tourists increasing by 3%. The share of tourists from Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Czech Republic and Belgium were the highest in July with tourist arrivals highest in mountain resorts (30% of all tourist arrivals) and overnight stays highest in seaside resorts (31% of all overnight stays).
ITTFA member, Alpe-Adria Tourism & Leisure show has clearly played an important role in the development of the Slovenian tourism industry and has recently changed its name to better reflect the importance of whole region and its importance and diversity within the tourism industry. Now aiming to provide a truly regional offering.
“The geostrategic position of Slovenia in the Alps-Adriatic region was an important influence on the preparation of the Tourism and Leisure Show. The show, which takes place annually at the end of January at the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre, with its aim to project a greater visibility for its exhibitors, segmented both by individual products and by what visitors hope to find, is expanding over the Alps-Adriatic region with the goal of becoming its central tourist event.” states Spela Bratun, Project Manager for the show.
The organizers of the event will strive to equally represent all tourist destinations within the region; thus, on the one side facilitating greater recognition of exhibitors via various marketing tools, and on the other, offering visitors actual possibilities for spending their holidays and leisure time. The patronage of the Alpe-Adria Tourism and Leisure Show has already been accepted by the City Municipality of Ljubljana and the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Slovenia and is supported by key figures from the Slovenian tourism industry.
Darja Radic, MSc, Minister of the Economy of Slovenia, comments on the show .“The Ministry of Economy supports stronger integration and cooperation of already traditional connected countries in the Alps-Adriatic region. Slovenia lies in the heart of Europe, where the Alps meet the Mediterranean and the Pannonian Plain meets the Karst. This small green country is home to sincere, hospitable people of great diligence and is in a great starting point to become a host of the largest tourist event in the region.”
The region is home to 26 million inhabitants, who continually seek new ideas of how to spend their free time. With its proximity, accessibility and attractive offers, Slovenia is undoubtedly an interesting choice. At the same time, this type of concept offers the Slovenian guests a wide range of opportunities for shorter trips across neighbouring borders.
“Tourism is an important factor in all members of the Alps-Adriatic Working Community. The renaming of this fair as Alpe–Adria Tourism and Leisure Show therefore is an important step for a common promotion of the whole area. By this the participating Alps-Adriatic members will be represented stronger in existing markets and gain access to new markets.” Mag. Dr. Wolfgang Platzer, Secretary General of the Alps-Adriatic Working Community.
In addition to the regional expansion, the show is also expanding in terms of content and for the first time presents its products from the visitors’ viewpoint. The layout and themes of the Show will thus correspond to various tourist “tribes” or target groups, to include traveller, holiday, excursion and active sectors.
The wide support of Slovenian tourism ensures that the event will become more than just an exhibition space. The accompanying programme will, with the support and participation of educational institutions, contribute to the continual upgrading of knowledge of those working in the tourist industry. At the same time, it will assist in the important function of guiding young people into tourism, which is of key importance for the development of the industry.
In addition to the above, the organisers are planning a number of programmes, which will considerably enliven the show from presentations of innovative ideas in tourism to attractive social events and programmes. The event will be lively, entertaining, particularly informative and also educational. The main connecting theme throughout the exhibition, its accompanying programmes and awards, given for special achievements in the field of tourism, will this year be based on cookery. The Jakob prize, a new international prize for the event, will be awarded by the organiser, the Ljubljana exhibition and Convention Centre, for tourist quality and excellence.
Alpe Adria will be held in Ljubljana 27 to 30 January 2011.
ITTFA is dedicated to the continual development of the travel trade show industry, increasing participation and setting high standards worldwide. For details on all our members visit us at www.ittfa.org
